'It Feels Like Home': Deerfield Gymnast Chooses Central Michigan

DEERFIELD, IL — For Abby Izaks, choosing the right college needed to be an appealing choice for both her academic and athletic pursuits. In the end, the Deerfield High School senior gymnast decided Central Michigan University is where she wants to be next fall.

"For me, I chose CMU because it feels like home," Izaks recently told Patch. "When I got on the campus for the first time, I knew immediately that I belonged there. Mount Pleasant is an incredible community with lots of natural beauty. The gymnastics coaches are absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to work with them for the next four years."

Izaks, a Level 10 gymnast, trains out of Legacy Elite Gymnastics in Aurora. According to the NCAA, Level 10 is the highest level of the women’s developmental program, with a majority of NCAA gymnasts competing at that level prior to college.

"Competitive gymnastics is filled with challenges. During the last few years, I had to travel 50 miles each way to the gym five days a week," Izaks said. "I had to push myself. But love of the sport, along with never-ending persistence, have been the keys to my success."

On Wednesday, surrounded by family, Izaks officially signed her official letter to attend CMU during a ceremony for student-athletes at Deerfield High School. She earned a Maroon & Gold Merit scholarship, which recognizes her academic achievements. Izaks is excited to be joining a nationally regarded Division I collegiate gymnastics program with the Chippewas.

"The team of gymnasts are so welcoming and supportive," Izaks said. "At the same time, they have an impressive level of intensity and it is evident that they work very hard. Being there and watching their practice, I could see myself in the gym and I know that I’ll be able to succeed there.

At CMU, Izaks said she plans to study communications. She wants to eventually use her college degree and "entrepreneurial dreams," along with her love of gymnastics, to one day open her own gym.

Izaks said being a Level 10 gymnast is filled with daily challenges. She credits her coaches, family, trainer, recruiter, teammates, along with an "accommodating" principal at DHS in Kathryn Anderson, among others, for helping along the way.

"I've been focused on gymnastics for a long time. Staying consistent and determined with my practice has been necessary. Working hard and putting my absolute all into every single day has been essential. Even on the days when I’m tired, I push myself to get into the gym and get at least 1 percent better each day," Izaks said. "Plus, having good role models in my gymnastics teammates played a big role in my development as a gymnast."

Izaks, who has played the violin since the age of 4, also is an active participant on social media. In 2020, Patch profiled her growing TikTok account, which she used to draw attention to a young girl in Florida who was battling two forms of cancer at the time and was in need of a bone marrow transplant.

Since then, Izkas has continued to use her social media accounts for good.

"I still believe using social media for charitable causes is important. After the July 4th Highland Park shootings, I used my TikTok and Instagram account to promote and sell hats I made with friends, and we raised money for the victims," Izaks said.

She also likes to have fun with the platform as a Taylor Swift-inspired account she started last year (@abby.jordansversion) currently has more than 40,000 followers, 9.2 million likes, and Izaks said eight of her videos have more than 1 million views.

"My top post has more than 21.1 million views," Izaks said. "My Taylor TikTok account is a creative outlet for me amidst the stress that daily life as a competitive gymnast has. It is also a place where I can communicate with people all over the world about a shared interest, which is really special to me."

As Izaks moves on to the next stage of her gymnastics career, she has some advice for younger gymnasts working their way up the ranks. She believes having a life outside the gym is essential.

"Keep pushing. Push through the hard days because that's when the most improvement is made. The more you put in, the more you will get out," Izaks said. "Another thing that kept me going was never comparing myself to others. Everyone has their own journeys, and staying on track with yours and not letting others interfere with your dream is very important."

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